Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of the King nomination.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Mr. President, I come to the floor because Democrats out on the campaign trail continue to spin their one-size-fits-all healthcare plan that they call Medicare for All. The name itself is misleading. I will state that as a doctor who has practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years.

Even many Democrats in the first Presidential debate sounded confused about their own proposal. The candidates were asked a simple question. They were asked to raise their hands if they supported eliminating private health insurance. That is the health insurance people get from work. ``Just four arms went up over the two nights,'' but ``five candidates who kept their hands at their sides,'' the New York Times has now reported, ``have signed onto bills in [this] Congress that do exactly that''--take health insurance away from people who get it from work.

On one point, though, they all raised their hands. That was on the question that was asked of all 10 Democrats in round 2 of the debate. They all endorsed taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants. Every hand went up.

It seems Democrats have actually been hiding their real, radical agenda. ``Most Americans don't realize how dramatically Medicare-for- all would restructure the nation's health care system.'' That is not just me talking; that is according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation poll. We need to set the record straight, and I am ready to do that right now.

The fact is, Democrats have taken a hard left turn, and they want to take away your health insurance if you get it from work. The proposal abolishes private health insurance, the insurance people get from work. In its place, they would have one expensive, new government-run system. Still, Democrats know most of us would rather keep our own coverage that we get from work. Even the people on Medicare Advantage--20 million people--would lose it under the Democrats' proposal. The Kaiser poll confirms Americans' top concern is, of course, lowering their costs or, as the Washington Post ``Health'' column put it, people simply want ``to pay less for their own health care.''

That is what we are committed to on this side of the aisle.

Many Democrats running for President continue to promote and support this radical scheme by Senator Sanders. The Sanders legislation would take away healthcare insurance from 180 million people who get their insurance through work, through their jobs. In addition, 20 million people who buy their insurance would lose coverage as well.

You also need to know that the Democrats' proposal ends the current government healthcare programs. Medicare for seniors would be gone. Federal employees' health insurance would be gone. TRICARE for the military would be gone, and the children's health coverage also would be gone under this Democratic healthcare, one-size-fits-all plan. That is confirmed by the Congressional Research Service.

The Congressional Research Service recently sent me a formal legal opinion. I requested it from them. It is a formal, legal opinion, stating: Medicare for All ``would . . . largely displace these existing federally funded health programs'' that I just mentioned--Medicare, Federal employees' health insurance, TRICARE, children's health coverage. It would largely displace these existing Federal health programs as well as private health insurance, the insurance people get from work.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the

Congressional Research Service memorandum, dated May 29, 2019.

Mr. President, this report details how the bills cut off funding.

The CRS memo concludes: These payment prohibitions would effectively terminate all of those programs I mentioned in their current form.

The Congressional Research Service finds that Medicare for All actually terminates Medicare in this country. So Democrats want to turn Medicare, currently for 60 million seniors, into Medicare for None. It will become Medicare for None, not Medicare for All. Plus, 22 million people would lose Medicare Advantage. I know many of my patients who signed up for Medicare Advantage because there are advantages to doing it--coordinated care, working on preventive medicine. There are reasons for signing up for Medicare Advantage. That would all be gone under the one-size-fits-all approach that the Democrats are proposing.

That is not all. This report says the Sanders bill ends Federal employee health insurance. There are more than 8 million Federal workers, families, and retirees who rely on this Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

The Congressional Research Service says that this bill, sponsored by over 100 Members who are Democrats in the House of Representatives and sponsored by a number of Democrats in this body, will abolish TRICARE, the insurance for the military. More than 9 million military members, their families,

and retirees rely on TRICARE for their healthcare.

The report says the bill ends the Children's Health Insurance Program. Nine million of our Nation's children rely on the CHIP program.

Interestingly, ObamaCare would end as well, according to the CRS report. After less than a decade, Democrats want to repeal and replace their failed ObamaCare healthcare law with a one-size-fits-all system.

Again, the Congressional Research Service says the bill bans private health insurance. One hundred eighty million people get their insurance through work.

To sum up, hundreds of millions of American citizens--American citizens--stand to lose their insurance, and I believe that is just the start of the pain for American families. In the new system, we would all be at the mercy of Washington bureaucrats. That means we would be paying more to wait longer for worse care--pay more to wait longer for worse care. The Democrats' massive plan is expected to cost $32 trillion. That is trillion with a ``t.'' That is a 10-year pricetag.

Guess who is going to pay for that mind-boggling bill--of course, every American taxpayer. Senator Sanders admitted in the Democratic debate the other night that his proposal would raise taxes on middle- class families. His proposal will raise taxes, he said, on middle-class families.

In fact, even doubling our taxes wouldn't cover the huge cost of what they are proposing. So Washington Democrats are planning to drastically cut payments to doctors, nurses, hospitals, and to people who are providing care. The bureaucrats would ration care, restrict care--the care you get that you need--and it would be restricted in terms of treatment as well as technology. People would lose the freedom to choose the hospital or doctor they want.

As a doctor, I am especially concerned about the impact on patient care. Patients could wait weeks, even months, for urgently needed treatment. Keep in mind care delayed is often care denied. So the Democrats' grand healthcare vision is to force you to pay more to wait longer for worse care.

As a Senator and a doctor, of course, I want to improve your care, make it less costly. You should get insurance that is appropriate for you and affordable. You should be free to make your own medical decisions. That is what it is like in America.

No question, healthcare needs to be more affordable, and Republicans are working to lower costs without lowering standards. To me, that is the big difference. Democrats are proposing the reverse. Their plan would lower your standard of care and raise your costs. Democrats can keep campaigning hard left on healthcare. That is where they are headed.

Republicans are going to stay focused on real reforms that promote more affordable healthcare, cheaper prescription drugs, protections for patients with preexisting conditions, and, of course, the end of surprise medical bills. President Trump recently took Executive action that increases price transparency to lower the costs that patients pay.

You just need to know the facts about the Democrats' one-size-fits- all healthcare. Don't let far-left Democrats fool you. Radical Democrats want to take away your current healthcare. There would be no more Medicare or private plans, just a one-size-fits-all Washington plan.

Why pay more to wait longer for worse care? Instead, let's give patients the care they need from a doctor they choose at lower costs. That is our goal. That is our objective, and that is what we are going to accomplish.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I have 5 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing pending military nominations.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Stephen M. Dickson, of Georgia, to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Michelle A. Schultz, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board, and a routine list in the Coast Guard.

Committee on Environment and Public Works

The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Foreign Relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Special Committee on Aging

The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Mr. President, I would like to say just a few words about Rob Wallace, the newly confirmed Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the Department of Interior.

I have known Rob for over 35 years. Without question, Rob is the right person for the job. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Rob has struck the proper balance between wildlife management, habitat management, and the use of our public lands.

In terms of wildlife conservation, Rob is way up there in terms of his commitment. Rob's experience and leadership in Wyoming and in our Nation's capital are ideally suited for this critically important position.

Throughout his 45-year career, Rob has served in a variety of jobs that directly relate to the two Federal agencies he has been nominated to oversee. Rob began his career as a seasonal park ranger in Grand Teton National Park. Since then, Rob has served in a number of positions. He has been Assistant Director of the National Park Service, chief of staff for Wyoming Senator Malcolm Wallop, staff director for the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee--a committee on which I currently sit. He has been chief of staff for Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, and manager of U.S. Government Relations for the General Electric Company.

Rob currently serves as the president of the Upper Green River Conservancy. It is the Nation's first cooperative conservation bank. Rob cofounded the Upper Green River Conservancy. It protects core sage grouse habitat in the ecologically rich and the energy rich Upper Green River watershed in Southwest Wyoming.

He built an innovative partnership of ranchers, conservation groups, energy companies, investors, and other stakeholders. Rob is also the founding member of the board of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, a group of people absolutely working together, committed to the Grand Teton National Park. It promotes the park's cultural, historic, and natural resources. He has also served on the boards of many organizations dedicated to conserving wildlife and enhancing our national parks.

Rob's nomination passed the Environment and Public Works Committee by unanimous vote, and a near-unanimous reported vote in the Committee of Energy and Natural Resources.

Rob Wallace is an outstanding choice for this position of Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He is the right person for the job, and I am so pleased the Senate has now confirmed his nomination.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I am here to address the specific topic about energy laws, but hearing my friend and colleague from Connecticut talk about the healthcare law, I would just point out that as 20 Democratic candidates for President assemble tonight and tomorrow night in Miami, they are going to be there calling for a repeal and replacement of the Obama healthcare law.

The leading candidate, the Senator from Vermont, is going to say, under this healthcare law that we have now in this country, this healthcare system is the most bureaucratic, inefficient system in the world, and he is going to propose a one-size-fits-all healthcare system that repeals and replaces the ObamaCare healthcare law with a system where people will pay more to wait longer for worse care. As a result, 180 million people who get their insurance through their jobs will lose their insurance. Also, as a result, the 20 million Americans who are on Medicare Advantage will lose that coverage as well.

Energy Policy

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to discuss my continued efforts to modernize our Nation's energy laws.

Since my arrival in 2007 in the Senate, I have worked in the Senate on pro-growth energy policies. My goal has always been to protect workers, to promote American energy, and to provide for innovation.

The Presiding Officer is from an energy State. He knows that today the United States is the world's top energy producer. We are the global leaders in oil as well as natural gas. Still, the energy sector is evolving at a fast clip. We need to stay ahead of the curve to stay on top, so our laws should reflect this changing reality.

The key, of course, is innovation. That is why I am constantly talking with folks in the industry, people back home in Wyoming, and taking the pulse. I listen to the workers in coal mines and oilfields of Campbell County, to the researchers at the labs at the University of Wyoming. What we discuss are best practices and issues such as: How can we streamline energy permitting? How can we speed research? How can we ensure safety and protect the environment?

My point is, we need to know the situation on the ground. I know the Presiding Officer hears that in North Dakota on a regular basis. That is how we need to make sure energy laws make sense--knowing what is happening on the ground.

I proposed practical reforms that reflect that reality. I recently offered legislation to modernize the Federal electricity law. It is called the UPDATE PURPA Act. PURPA refers to the 1978 Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act. Senators Risch, Cramer, and Daines are original cosponsors of this UPDATE PURPA law. Principally, we want to protect families from inflated electric bills.

People in Wyoming and North Dakota and other States are overpaying.

That is because PURPA requires State utilities to purchase renewable power and then pay above-market rates to do it. They have to buy it even when their customers do not need it, and that is the problem.

Forty years after that law was passed in 1978--fast forward, here we are 41 years later, and clearly it has outlived its purpose. The law's original intent was to diversify power sources, and it certainly succeeded. Wind and solar power now provide about 9 percent of the electricity in this country--9 percent wind and solar.

The fact is, renewable power technology has improved rapidly so we no longer need to micromanage these purchases. Consumers should not continue to overpay for electricity due to outdated rules, regulations, and laws. UPDATE PURPA would solve this problem. It protects utility customers from added costs; it frees State utilities from unnecessary mandates to buy power; and it helps develop all energy sources, including renewable energy.

I am also working to pass a bill called the USE IT Act. It stands for Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies. This bipartisan bill would help researchers find uses for captured carbon dioxide emissions.

The research is already happening in Wyoming. It is taking place outside Gillette in the Integrated Test Center. The USE IT Act will further this effort. It will apply our Nation's brightest minds to take carbon from the air, to capture it from the air, to trap it, and to transform it into valuable products.

Captured carbon can be used to extract oil from wells that otherwise would not be profitable. It can also be used to make building materials and carbon fiber. It can be used for medical purposes.

In addition, I am working to promote nuclear energy. Nuclear power is safe, reliable, and carbon-free. Today it provides 60 percent of America's carbon-free electricity. It is by far our largest carbon-free source, and it is doubling the wind and solar in terms of the total that we get from wind and solar. We have already made progress on advanced nuclear technology because earlier this year we passed a bipartisan nuclear bill called the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, and that became law--signed into law.

This bill, now law, will ensure that we remain a leader in nuclear innovation. It will simplify the process for licensing and developing advanced reactors. This progress will help increase our use of carbon- free energy. We need all the energy. We need the renewable energy. We need the nuclear energy. We need the oil, gas, and coal. We need all of it, and we must address our nuclear waste problem.

That is why I fought to complete the licensing of the storage facility at Yucca Mountain. I recently chaired a committee hearing on this draft proposal.

As I wrote in the Wall Street Journal, ``The lack of progress on Yucca Mountain has become a roadblock for nuclear power in America.''

Both parties want Americans to use more carbon-free energy, so both parties should embrace sensible, scientific solutions.

Another energy issue I am addressing is reform in the process that we use to get permits to get permission to explore for energy, to use our resources. Earlier this year, I introduced a bill called the ONSHORE Act. It stands for Opportunities for the Nation and States to Harness Onshore Resources for Energy.

We have a very talented staff that comes up with these creative names. It is onshore energy--Opportunities for Nations and States to Harness Resources for Energy. The ONSHORE Act will simplify the Federal onshore oil and gas permitting process. So whether we are talking about oil and gas permitting or utilities or carbon capture or nuclear power, we must engineer our way to American energy solutions.

Commonsense reforms will help the United States stay on top and stay safe at the same time.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, we talked a lot in recent weeks about the importance of a transatlantic political and military alliance between our country and many other nations. In celebrating NATO's 70th anniversary in Washington a few months ago and the 75th anniversary of D-day in Europe, there has been a common theme, and that common theme has been security cooperation. The common theme has been a need to strengthen our response to threats that continue to arise around the globe.

I believe energy security is a critical part of our shared defense. That is why I just introduced legislation to help our NATO allies escape Russian bullying by improving European energy security. My bill imposes sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline. It also speeds up U.S. natural gas exports to our NATO allies.

For years I have raised concerns about Russia's energy export pipeline project. Nord Stream 2 would carry added Russian natural gas supplies to Germany via the Baltic Sea. It would do it along the existing Nord Stream 1 route. This pipeline will fuel Russian aggression as well as regional instability. For our sake and the sake of our allies, we must stop it.

Nord Stream 2 makes Europe and our NATO allies more dependent on Russia and so more prone to Russian influence. It also means a massive money transfer from our allies straight into the Kremlin's pockets. That is new money that Russia can use to fund their military.

As we know, Russian President Vladimir Putin is no friend. He is a dangerous foe, and he has plans to divide Europe and destroy NATO. Putin uses Russia's military and economy as tools of intimidation. One of Russia's biggest economic levers, of course, is its gas monopoly in Europe. In fact, Putin has a history of using his Russian energy resources as a geopolitical weapon.

Russia literally threatens to turn off the gas if its demands are not met. Putin did cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine in 2006, again in 2009, and most recently in 2014. Of course, 2014 was the year that Russia invaded Ukraine and Crimea. Currently, most Russian gas exports to Europe must cross Ukraine, but by using Nord Stream 2 to bypass this route, Russia can freely undermine Ukraine's economy.

Putin threatens not just Ukraine but also our NATO ally Poland. Just last week Poland's President was here in Washington meeting with President Trump to discuss security issues. Unlike Germany, Poland is working to free itself from Russian energy reliance. Poland has signed a deal to buy an additional $8 billion of abundant reliable American natural gas, and this is on top of the $25 billion already under contract.

At the meeting last week, President Trump said he is considering Nord Stream 2 sanctions. He also warned Germany to end its dependence on Moscow. President Trump rightly noted: ``We're protecting Germany from Russia and Russia is getting billions and billions of dollars from Germany.''

The President is right. He went on to add: ``Reliance on a single foreign supplier of energy leaves nations totally vulnerable to coercion and extortion.''

The Economist magazine calls Nord Stream 2 ``a Russian trap''--one that Germany has fallen into. I agree with the President and I agree with the Economist. Nord Stream 2 will completely undermine the European Union's efforts to diversify energy sources, suppliers, and routes.

Already, Russia supplies nearly 40 percent of European Union gas imports, and European demand for natural gas is expected to continue to grow rapidly. Many of our NATO allies, especially Germany, are becoming addicted to Russian gas. It is time for American intervention.

The bill I just introduced will help our allies to escape Putin's trap. The bill is actually called the ESCAPE Act. It stands for the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act. It mandates sanctions on Nord Stream 2, as well as other Russian pipeline projects. At the same time, it speeds up U.S. gas exports to NATO allies. The bill also creates a transatlantic energy security strategy, and it directs our NATO representative to help our allies and our partners improve their own energy security.

The ESCAPE Act builds on previous action in Congress. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which Congress passed in 2017, authorizes but does not require sanctions on Russian energy pipelines.

In March of 2018, I led a bipartisan group of 39 Senators in sending a letter to key administration officials opposing Nord Stream 2. President Trump has made clear time after time that he believes Europe's reliance on Russian gas undermines regional security. The United States, especially Wyoming, has been blessed with abundant natural gas resources and supplies. We have more than enough gas to meet America's needs, as well as exporting gas to other countries. So why shouldn't we use some of these energy resources to help our friends in Europe, as well as our own energy workers here at home.

Last summer I published an op-ed in the Washington Post saying:

We made clear that we want to roll back Russia's energy

invasion of Europe. Now Congress should take the next step

and mandate sanctions.

Freeing Europe from Russian energy dependence will strengthen both our allies and our NATO alliance. It is time to shut off Putin's pipeline valve and open Europe's escape valve. It is time to pass the ESCAPE Act.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. Following the end of World War I, the generation who fought the war to end all wars created an organization dedicated to the protection and defense of all veterans who answered the call of duty.

The American Legion has been our Nation's leading advocate for proper healthcare and earned benefits for America's veterans, establishing hospitals and other services for the returning servicemembers of World War I. The Legion champions compensation and pensions for the disabled and for widows and orphans and was instrumental in creating the Veterans Administration in 1930. It also played an important role in the enactment of the GI Bill of Rights, first for World War II veterans, and then for veterans of following eras, establishing education, vocational training, and home loan benefits.

Known as the father of the American Legion, Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., son of President Roosevelt, organized the first caucus of the American Legion in Paris in March 1919. The meeting continued in St. Louis in May 1919 where the official name was adopted. A preamble and constitution were adopted during the first National American Legion Convention in Minneapolis in November 1919. The preamble became one of the fundamental tenets of the American Legion's orientation and objectives, beginning with: ``For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a 100 Percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the Great War; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to prosperity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness.''

Through the work of American Legionnaires, those same words remain compelling today. With members represented in all facets of our culture, including Presidents, Governors, Academy award winning actors, professional sports players, and Members of Congress, the American Legion played a role in many of America's triumphs. Today's Legionnaires, known for their legacy of patriotism, service, sacrifice, and community, continue the march. They dedicate their time and service to ensure these doctrines remain the heart of the American Legion.

The American Legion has deep roots in Wyoming's history. Wyoming was represented in both Paris and St. Louis and at the first National Convention in Minneapolis. True to their pioneering nature, Wyoming's Ferdinand Bransetter Post No. 1 organized to situate themselves at the forefront of the Legion organization. However, due to the bureaucracy encountered by the first posts, Van Tassell was actually among the first 10 posts to be chartered.

In October 1919, Wyoming held its First American Legion Convention, hosted by Samuel Mares Post No. 8 in Douglas. The first department officers included Commander Charles S. Hill and Adjutant Harry Fisher. Department headquarters was originally in Casper, later moving to Cheyenne as membership gradually grew to a high of 10,805 in 1949.

Today's Wyoming American Legions continues to care for their comrades. As leaders in their communities, they demonstrate honor and respect for veterans and their loved ones. They actively support numerous youth programs including Boys and Girls State, the Child Welfare Fund, Boy Scouts, baseball, and scholarship programs. Their accomplishments continue to grow as they serve our veterans, their families, and our communities.

Today's Wyoming American Legion is comprised of 57 posts. Their leadership includes Commander Richard F. Dansereau, Jr., Vice Commander Mike Cooke, 2nd Vice Commander Jerry Clark, Immediate Past Commander Kenneth V. Persson, Sr., Finance Officer Deanna Hurless, National Executive Committeeman Terry Miller, Alternate National Executive Committeeman Doug Uhrig, Adjutant Lee Buchschacher, Department Service Officer Dwight Null, Service Officer Michelle Jones, Historian Penny Merryfield, Chaplain Jim Vandivort, Judge Advocate Gary Hartman, and Office Manager Gina Mayhan.

Current posts and their commanders are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commander Post Town ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dale Miller..................... Ferdinand Van Tassel

Bransetter Post

#1. Rich Larimore................... George W. Vroman Casper

Post #2. Donald Dafoe.................... George Monroe Post Newcastle

#3. David Shaner.................... Wieten-Dupes Post Lusk

#4. Michael Sinner.................. Travis Snow Post Torrington

#5. Jerry Bowen..................... Francis E. Self Cheyenne

Post #6. James Schlenker................. John Donald Sheridan

Garbutt Post #7. Doug Johnson.................... Samuel Mares Post Douglas

#8. Marvin Wohletz.................. Jesse Martin Post Glenrock

#9. Darrel Curry.................... Ora Call Post #10. Wheatland Rich Fink....................... Robert Boyd Lovell

Stewart Post #11. Don Sillivan.................... Powder River Post Buffalo

#13. Jonathan Storey................. Husted-Pendleton Laramie

Post #14. Adam Blackburn.................. John Prince Post Glendo

#15. Nate Messenger.................. Walter Haynes Post Thermopolis

#18. Warren Hess..................... Riverton Post #19. Riverton John West....................... Fred Coe Post #20. Cody Michael Pavlica................. Robert Hogan Post Cheyenne

#21. Michael Hobbs................... Archie Hay Post Rock Springs

#24. Tim Wattenberg.................. Moorcroft Post #25 Moorcroft Jerry Clark..................... Hughes-Pittinger Powell

Post #26. Thomas Niemiec.................. Tom Whitmore Post Green River

#28. John Bubla...................... Marian Tanner Post Basin

#29. Douglas Cubbison................ Philip Burlington Dubois

Post #31. Paul Linse...................... Greybull Post #32. Greybull Mark Keiser..................... Don Stough Post Lander

#33. Brian Sartor.................... Fort Bridger Post Ft. Bridger

#36. Norm Freeman.................... Lavoy-Thorncock Cokeville

Post #40. Michael Erickson, Jr............ Medicine Butte Evanston

Post #41. Jerry Walters................... Campbell County Gillette

Post #42. John Sherwood................... Jackson Hole Post Jackson

#43. Joshua Craft.................... Floyd Minch Post Worland

#44. Jimmy Bowman.................... Crook County Post Sundance

#45. Daniel Corun.................... American Legion Alpine

Post #46. Brandon Shriver................. Phillips Edwards Pinedale

Post #47. Charles Sutter.................. Star Valley Post Afton

#49. Steve Wilcoxson................. Angus England Post Saratoga

#54. Robert Bowen.................... Kemmerer Post #55. Kemmerer-

Diamondville Ricardo Nelson.................. Marlyn B. Anderson Veteran

Post #56. John Wise....................... Donald W. Pine Bluffs

Eisenhauer Post

#60. Albert Oakley................... Washakie Post #61. Pavillion David Kendall................... Reed-Gobble Post Lingle

#63. Marion McCartney................ William Home Post Medicine Bow

#64. Donald Kessler.................. John Mcgill Post LaGrange

#70. Robert Kissel................... Mcdonald And Chugwater

Voight Post #75. Ronnie Olson.................... Boyce Marlatt Post Albin

#77. Spencer Nichols................. Dee Fox Post #78.. Big Piney-

Marbleton Keith Davidson.................. Roy Montgomery Hulett

Post #80. Wyman Weed, Sr.................. Richard Pogue Post Ft. Washakie

#81. James Yockey.................... James Oliver Hogg Meeteetse

Post #85. Ray Fritz....................... Labarge Post #88.. LaBarge Robert Perry, Jr................ Hole In The Wall Kaycee

Post #90. Kelly Colvin.................... Heart Mountain Cody

Post #91. Jack Flores..................... Garcia-Castaneda Cheyenne

Post #93. Nick Schwab..................... J.J. Webb Post #95 Guernsey Martin Blackburn................ Araoaho Warriors- Arapaho

CPL Bill Farris

Post #96. Mike Sherr...................... Hittner Engstrom- Rawlins

Duncan Post #122. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

The American Legion is more than the names of men who fell on the battlefield in the name of freedom, liberty and democracy. They are more than buildings or posts. They are the lifeblood of our country, endowed with the never-ending spirit of patriotism and liberty. They will never quit, they will never falter and will always complete their mission. America and the State of Wyoming are better for it.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I come to the floor of the Senate today to remind people what the far-left Democrats want to do with our healthcare.

I am a doctor. I think it is a right people have to know what the Democrats are proposing. They are peddling what to me is an extreme one-size-fits-all healthcare plan. It is a scheme, as I look at it, because, essentially, Democrats want Washington to take over your healthcare and my healthcare and the healthcare of all Americans and actually control all healthcare in this Country. They want to take private health insurance away from 180 million people who get their insurance through work.

Under this system, the health plans that many people like will be gone--not just for today, not just for tomorrow, forever gone. There will be no more individual plans, just Washington's one-size-fits-all plan.

Democrats have been lining up to support this socialist scheme all across the country. Many leading Democrats running for President have done so. They back it, and 112 Democrats who are Members of the House of Representatives are behind it as well.

Radical Democrats, led by Senator Bernie Sanders, have decided that Washington bureaucrats--not you, not me, not your doctor--should call the shots. What care do you need? Washington, DC, bureaucrats will decide. How soon will you get the care? Washington, DC bureaucrats will decide. Where can you get the care? Washington, DC, bureaucrats will decide.

The problem with this scheme is it will have a dramatic impact in this country on patient care. As a doctor with decades of experience, I know Washington shouldn't control your medical decisions. That should be up to you and members of your family. You should make your own decisions after you consult with your doctor, not with a faceless bureaucrat.

For decades, I have given medical health advice on the radio and on television. Each time, in giving one of these reports, I close with the line: ``Here in Wyoming, I am Dr. John Barrasso, helping you care for yourself.''

Helping you care for yourself--you see, you and your doctor are partners working together, and a good doctor will focus on what is best for you. Doctors in local communities know who their patients are, and they know what their patients need.

What doctors don't need is a Washington bureaucrat telling them how to do their jobs. The point is to protect patient care and to protect patient choice. For example, Medicare is a medical lifeline for our seniors. Still, with 60 million people relying on Medicare, the program is being stretched to the breaking point.

Waste, fraud, and abuse have made the problem worse. In 2018, the Government Accountability Office found $48 billion in improper Medicare payments. The government's watchdog wants reforms, and we need reforms to protect our seniors, so we must strengthen this vital program for our seniors.

Just think if we pack every American into one government system, which is what the Democrats are proposing. They call it Medicare for All, which would quickly become Medicare for None. One-size-fits-all care will kill the doctor-patient relationship.

This massive plan is expected to cost a dramatic amount of money. Those who looked into this have estimated the cost to be $32 trillion. It is a hard number to comprehend. And that is just for the first 10 years.

Washington is going to have to find ways--and they will be looking for ways--to save money, and we have heard what ways they will be. The Wall Street Journal notes that any savings would have to come from cutting payments to doctors, cutting payments to providers, cutting payments to hospitals, and restricting care. They are talking about rationing care--limiting the care that you need, that you want, that the government now will say you cannot have.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office looked at this. They agree. They say ``the public plan might not be as quick to meet patients' needs.'' It may not be as quick to meet patients' needs? So you are diagnosed with cancer, and they are not going to be quick enough to face your needs? Care will be rationed both in treatment and in technology.

Democrats, of course, don't want you to know about healthcare rationing. You need to know. You have a right to know. You deserve to know what they are proposing. The care you get will be entirely the government's call because the Democrats' plan bans all private insurance in the country. If you have it through work, you will lose it.

What about paying your doctor directly for services? Well, Washington Democrats have a plan for that. They want to put an end to that as well. Doctors would have to leave the government-run system. They couldn't take care of any other patients who are on that system if they entered into a private contract with individual patients.

Even the Washington Post newspaper admits the plan has problems. The Post recently ran this headline: ``No matter what Sanders says, there's no Medicare-for-all without tradeoffs.''

I agree. And the tradeoffs could turn out to be fatal. Democrats' one-size-fits-all healthcare means you will pay more to wait longer for worse care.

As a Senator and a doctor, my focus continues to be on improving patient

care. Real healthcare reform is needed in this country. Reforms are needed to lower the costs without lowering the standards. Regrettably, what the Democrats are proposing lowers the standards and raises the costs--the exact opposite of what is so vitally important for all of us.

These are the issues that Republicans are working on right now: empowering you to buy coverage that works for you, lowering the cost of your prescription drugs, protecting you when you have a preexisting condition, and eliminating surprise medical bills. But with the Democrats' one-size-fits-all care, you would lose the insurance you get through work, and you would lose Medicare Advantage if you are a senior who is one of the 20 million people who gets their insurance through that program.

They call it Medicare Advantage because there are advantages for seniors who are on it. It coordinates care. There is preventive care. Those are the advantages.

You will likely lose the doctor-patient relationship that you have depended on for years and lose the freedom to make your own medical decisions.

I say it is time to reject this one-size-fits-all scheme that would make all of us pay more and wait longer for worse care. Instead, let's work together to give patients the care they need from a doctor they choose, and do it at lower costs.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I have 2 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on pending nominations.

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 3:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on pending nominations.